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Iran, China to Increase Commercial, Political Ties

Iranian and Chinese diplomats recently convened in Beijing to discuss increased cooperation across a number of political and economic sectors in the coming years. With the removal of sanctions looming, Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif noted that the country would like to play host to a growing number of Chinese firms and attract Chinese investment in the country’s energy sector.

Talks between Zarif and his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi also centered on the country’s trade ties. China already accounts for a significant portion of Iran’s imports, especially in the area of consumer goods, and the country’s relationship is expected to expand as Iran’s appetite and availability for imports increases.

Commercial issues were not the only focus during the meeting, as the two sides also commented on the increasingly chaotic situation in the Middle East. Iran, for its part, called on greater Chinese participation in Middle Eastern conflicts. Zarif, in a prepared statement given in Beijing, stated that the two countries “shared similar beliefs” and that it would be useful for China to contribute the finding a solution to conflicts in Yemen, Syria and in the greater Middle East.

Russian industry regulator FAS has found that Google violated the country’s antitrust laws by allegedly obligating phone manufacturers to preinstall its services on Android devices sold in Russia. The complaint was tabled by Russia’s own search-market leader Yandex NV, which currently boasts of a 60 percent share of the Russian market. The ruling caused an immediate 13 percent increase in Yandex stock traded on the NYSE. FAS will issue its “official decision in 10 days,” at which point it is expected to order Google to “terminate its dominant position.”

The alleged mastermind of the Bangkok shrine bombing which killed 20 is believed to be Uighur, from the western Chinese province of Xinjiang according to a BBC report. The suspect, Abudusateer Abudereheman, is now thought to be in Turkey, although Turkish authorities have denied that he has traveled to the country. It is possible that the attacker is attempting to make his way to Syria or Iraq.

Chinese industrial firm AVIC Heavy Machinery announced that it will construct a new 1,500 MW wind farm as well as 200 MW worth of photovoltaic parks in the Chinese autonomous region of Inner Mongolia. Coverage of the deal indicates that the new infrastructure will be realized thanks to a cooperation agreement between local officials and AVIC.

Beyondbrics writes of the success of the Ukrainian agricultural sector. Despite a number of challenges, Ukraine continues to be the global leader in sunflower oil exports and was among the top three exporters of grain in 2014-2015, according to the report. Ukrainian agriculture has found new clients in North Africa, China and East Asian countries, and has consolidated its relationship with the EU. One of the reasons for this is the lack of subsidies provided private companies by the Ukrainian government. This, the report alleges, has strengthened the companies and made them more resilient.

Foreign direct investment (FDI) in Georgia is steadily increasing per annum, according to the Georgian National Statistics Office. The new figures indicate that FDI during Q2 2015 has grown by 81 percent from 2014. The majority of funds invested appear to be destined to transport and communications, which attracted over $200 million in investment, while the largest foreign investor appears to be Azerbaijan, while Netherlands and Turkey placed second and third.